Lifelong Learning
Adult Students Thrive at UW-Whitewater
You are never too old to learn, whether that means toward a degree with a specific career goal in mind or attending classes for personal enrichment. The number of adult students on campus is growing. At UW-Whitewater there are approximately 900 adult students (Ages 25 and older). With the increasing demands to stay abreast of the latest information and technology, the numbers will continue to rise.
Many younger students enjoy having older friends from whom they can learn and exchange views and experiences. You should know that our returning adult students report that they are made to feel most welcome in the classroom by professors and younger students, alike. Typically, adult students not only fit in, but often become classroom leaders.
When I went back to college as an adult, I expected to stick out like a sore thumb. However, of all the challenges I faced as a non-traditional student (a "non-trad"), fitting in was not one of them.The younger traditional students impressed me with their acceptance. We sat through endless lectures together, worked on group projects and presentations together, and trudges across campus through some of Wisconsin's harshest winters together. And this past weekend, we walked across the stage together at the spring graduation ceremony at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. No longer a non-trad, I am now a UW-Whitewater Warhawk. - Roseann Stricker
Tour the Campus
We offer a campus tour option for adult and nontraditional students. This tour is structured with the adult student in mind. The tours are usually scheduled weekdays between 8:30 am and 3:30 pm but other times can be arranged. Please register for a campus tour if you are age 25 or older, or a non-traditional student.
How to Apply to UW-Whitewater
To be considered for admission, you must submit a University of Wisconsin System Application for Undergraduate Admission. To help with this process please review the Admission section below before accessing the application website.
You can apply online at https://apply.wisconsin.edu/
For additional information consult Dave Hahn Assistant Director of Admissions - Adult, Online, and Veteran Coordinator at Hahnd@uww.edu or by telephone at 262-472-3157. Click here to visit the Admissions Website.
Any graduate student who does not enroll in a course for three semesters (one academic year) becomes "inactive." To reactivate your status, complete the Reactivation Form and submit it to the Graduate Office. Click here for the Reactivation Form.
New Freshman- A student that has graduated from high school, but has NOT attended a college or university since high school.
Transfer- A student that has graduated from high school, enrolled at a college or university other than UW-Whitewater, and now plans to attend UW-Whitewater.
Re-entry- A student that has graduated from high school, attended UW-Whitewater as a degree seeking student, and now wishes to re-enter UW-Whitewater after an absence of one or more semesters.
Special - A student that has graduated from high school and would like to attend UW-Whitewater as a non-degree seeking student or as a "guest" student for six credits or less. or
You Are a Special Student If...
- You are pursuing a second undergraduate degree
- You are taking a course(s) that does not count toward a degree; i.e., Teacher Licensure or Certification
- You are taking required courses to enter into a graduate program
Priority Dates
Apply for priority admission by May 1st and be admitted by August 1st to enroll in fall semester. Apply for priority admission by December 1st and be admitted by January 15th to enroll in spring semester. You can still apply after these priority dates, but these dates would ensure full enrollment in the next term.
Priority Consideration Date for FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is January 1st. Applications submitted after this date may be too late for many aid programs including Work Study, Perkins Loan, and Non-Resident Grant. Financial aid is awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis.
You've been admitted... What's Next?
- Advising and Registration
- Sign up for Placement Testing
- Note: If you have not completed college level English and/or Math courses or taken the ACT or SAT test, contact our Testing office at 262-472-5613 to register for placement testing.
- Pay $100 enrollment fee
- Apply for financial aid
We look forward to having you as an adult student on our campus!
If you need help paying for college financial aid is available. Financial aid provides money to help you meet your college expenses. For comprehensive Financial Aid information please click here to visit our website.
* UW-Whitewater school code is 003926.
Veterans, reservists, National Guard members and dependents of veterans may be eligible to receive benefits for college. The Registrar's Office is the certifying office for veteran's benefits at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. Please contact Amy Moore, Veteran's Coordinator and she can assist you in the initial setup and proper submission of appropriate documentation. Click here to visit the Registrar's Site.
UW-Whitewater Children's Center offers year round, full day child care for children from ages 3 months up to 6 years and a Summer School Aged Camp for children entering the 1st through 5th grades.
- A state licensed program accredited by the National Association of Young Children.
- Our program's philosophy is that children learn through hands on; inquiry based open ended activities.
- Accepts state childcare subsidy.
- Childcare subsidy information
- To register your child, complete the application found on the Children's Center website. Fall 2019 applications will be accepted the first day of the spring 2019 semester (the semester prior).
If you have not completed college level English and/or Math courses or taken the ACT or SAT test, you are required to take a college placement test. Placement tests are given in English, Mathematics, Arithmetic Skills, and Foreign Languages (Spanish, French, and German). The purpose of the placement tests is to provide the University with information to place students at the correct level of the students program.
For more information contact our Testing office.
Gain an overview of the test content and a sample practice test: Math | English
We know as a nontraditional student you bring life and career experience to the classroom. Here is your chance to earn credit for it! At UW-Whitewater, students have the opportunity to earn college credits for their valuable work and life experiences. Click here to learn more about credit for prior learning.
Adult students may be able to earn credit for learning gained through years of experience at work, in military service, as volunteers, or in settings outside the formal classroom.
The College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) gives you the opportunity to receive college credit for what you already know by earning qualifying scores on an exam. Earn credit for knowledge you’ve acquired through independent study, prior course work, on-the-job training, professional development, cultural pursuits or internships.
Students successfully completing the exams can request credit at the college level. To find out which exams UW-Whitewater accepts for credit, visit the Click here for the Testing Office.
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater offers many majors and minors through its four colleges. There are many to choose from, and our Departments and Majors website offers more information about each, many of which include 4 year planning guides.
Click here to research available Majors & Minors »
You have questions? We have answers!
Many returning students are more motivated to learn and pay closer attention to the instructor. Studies show adult students tend to get better grades than younger students. In many courses you will work on team projects with other students.
Credits earned at other accredited colleges and universities are evaluated on the basis of transcripts submitted as part of admissions credentials. The Admissions Office, in consultation with your college or program area at UW-Whitewater, determines the extent to which courses accepted in transfer apply to degree and program requirements. Visit https://transferology.com/school/uww for more information about transferring credits.
Yes. At UW-Whitewater we make every effort to schedule courses to maximize accessibility, no matter what your schedule. Many college courses are offered online or hybrid, and your advisor can help you find a schedule that works for you. Most adult students work and many work full time. UW-Whitewater understands that you are juggling many obligations.
The Mary Poppe Chrisman Success Center offers academic assistance for most majors, study skills, PPST/Praxis testing and basic computer skills. They offer both small groups and one-on-one tutoring online or in person. The key is to not wait to seek help. Visit the Success Center's Website »
Located in the Mary Poppe Chrisman Success Center, the Writing Center provides one-on-one peer tutoring for all phases of the writing process. Whether you are working on an essay, report, research paper, poem, short story, or resume, the Writing Center can help. It is staffed by upper-level English-Education, English-Writing, and Journalism majors.
Many popular software programs are available under a student license for greatly discounted rates via the Wisconsin Integrated Software Catalog (WISC). Full- or part-time students enrolled at a University of Wisconsin System campus are eligible to purchase and use software distributed through WISC. Adobe and Microsoft software sold through this site includes a perpetual license, which you can continue to use even after you graduate (license terms from other manufacturers vary). See what software is available »
The Children's Center provides quality, affordable childcare for UW-Whitewater students, faculty, and staff. It is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. Visit the Children's Center webpage »
Currently enrolled students are eligible for services at the Ambrose Health Center. University Health and Counseling Services staff members strives to provide a safe, supportive, and helpful atmosphere to address the psychological, personal, and physical wellbeing of our students. A wide range of services are offered to students. Please refer to the website for more details.